[Eril-l] Question about EBSCO and SSO authentication

[Electronic Resources in Libraries discussion list]

Hello Laura,

The library at Angelo State University just implemented SSO authentication for our all our EBSCO products (EDS + various databases), and it works just as you stated, in that users have to authenticate into the EBSCO platform using their campus login credentials, unless they have already authenticated into another campus SSO platform such as Blackboard and are using the same browser to access both.

Once authenticated, users are automatically and seamlessly logged into their EBSCO account. Whether they use the Folder feature or not is their choice.

I had to change all the pertinent EBSCO URLs as the new ones do not reference our proxy server at all.  As a matter of fact, if our users try to access any of our EBSCO resources via the old proxied URL, they are greeted by an error message very similar to the one below:

[cid:image002.png at 01DAD759.299A2500]
Let me know if you have further questions or need additional information.

Thank you,

From: Eril-l <eril-l-bounces at lists.eril-l.org> On Behalf Of Electronic Resources in Libraries discussion list via Eril-l
Sent: Tuesday, July 16, 2024 7:49 AM
To: Electronic Resources in Libraries discussion list <eril-l at lists.eril-l.org>
Subject: [Eril-l] Question about EBSCO and SSO authentication

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Hello

We are in the process of setting up SSO authentication for our EBSCO databases.  If you have done this, I have a couple of questions.

Current Situation (without SSO):  A patron accesses a database via IP or proxy authentication.  Once in EBSCO, patrons can view articles and book chapters without further having to authenticate.  However, if they want to save a search, create an alert or download a whole eBook, they have to create an EBSCO account and sign in.

Our hope was that with SSO, the only change in this scenario would be the patron logs in with their campus credentials.

We are being told that if a patron accesses via IP or proxy, they will not be able to use their campus credentials for their EBSCO account.  From what I understand, the SSO authentication would have to happen at the point they enter an EBSCO and at that point they are already logged into their EBSCO account.  Is this your experience on your campus?  This seems to create an extra layer of friction in that the majority of our users do not utilize a personal account on EBSCO.  Most are just viewing articles or book chapters.

I would appreciate hearing how SSO access works on your campus.

Thank you,


Laura Vogler
Associate Library Director

Wabash College Lilly Library<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/library.wabash.edu/__;!!KGfBWX4!pbZzkjPp3NukjZuJnnXZxw8H1MflOgxS1DaIYziC9Y-ePWVXgT2usfjE9HA7rEDLqHul6-tMjg9lpM8yC8u7jswjtA$> | 301 W Wabash Ave | Crawfordsville IN 47933 | P: 765.361.6215

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